Implicit and explicit memory: a functional dissociation in persons with Down syndrome

This study aimed at investigating implicit and explicit long-term memory fu nctioning in subjects with Down syndrome (DS) compared to Mental-Age (MA) m atched normal children. For this purpose, tests of verbal and visuo-percept ual explicit memory, verbal and visual repetition priming and procedural le arning tasks were administered to 14 DS and 20 MA subjects. Our results doc ument comparable implicit memory abilities in the two groups. In contrast, regarding explicit memory, normal children performed better than DS individ uals. These results reveal a functional dissociation between implicit and e xplicit memory in subjects with DS. Theoretical and rehabilitative implicat ions are discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.